The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.0192  Monday, 31 January 2005

From:           Abigail Quart <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
Date:           Friday, 28 Jan 2005 18:12:16 -0500
Subject: 16.0182 Lark
Comment:        RE: SHK 16.0182 Lark

Robin Hamilton: I can't comment on Partridge. I'm sure he's omniscient
but I don't have his book. My little Spears paperback slang dictionary
lists an 1800s OR BEFORE date for a 'to masturbate' meaning for 'lark.'
But 'larking' as a word for 'a lascivious practise that will not bear
explanation' [Grose, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue] finds
the definition in practice in the late 1700s. Had Grose managed earlier
editions of his dictionary, it might be possible that he would have
found the word then, too. For a word to reach the vulgar, not literary,
tongue, a bit of time is required. A word in common use in the 1700s had
likely been wandering around town for a good while. If anyone knows of a
1600s slang dictionary I could check, I'll go to the library and sit
there till I find it or not.

_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, 
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>

DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the
editor assumes no responsibility for them.